2 Samuel

An Amalekite claims to have finished dying Saul and brings his crown to David. David executes him for slaying the Lord’s anointed and laments Saul and Jonathan with the Song of the Bow: “How the mighty are fallen.”

God directs David to Hebron. Judah anoints him king; Abner installs Ish-bosheth over Israel. Civil war begins at Gibeon, Asahel is killed by Abner; David’s men under Joab prevail.

David’s house strengthens; six sons are born in Hebron. After quarrelling with Ish-bosheth, Abner pledges the northern tribes to David, but Joab murders him. David publicly mourns Abner, declaring his own innocence.

Ish-bosheth’s captains Rechab and Baanah murder him and bring his head to David, who executes them and buries Ish-bosheth’s head in Abner’s tomb.

All Israel anoints David king (age 30). He captures Jerusalem, calling it the City of David, and defeats Philistines twice in the valley of Rephaim by God’s guidance.

Attempt to move the ark: Uzzah dies touching it, the ark rests with Obed-edom three months bringing blessing. David then brings it to Jerusalem with sacrifices and dancing; Michal despises him and remains barren.

David wishes to build a temple, but God, via Nathan, establishes the eternal Davidic covenant: David’s son will build the house, David’s dynasty and throne will endure forever. David offers a humble prayer of gratitude.

David subdues surrounding nations—Philistia, Moab, Zobah, Syria, Edom—dedicating the spoil to the Lord. He reigns with justice and lists his chief officials.

David shows covenant kindness to Jonathan’s lame son Mephibosheth, restoring Saul’s lands and granting him a permanent place at the king’s table.

Hanun of Ammon humiliates David’s envoys; Ammon hires Syrian mercenaries. Joab and Abishai rout them; David later defeats the reinforced Syrians, ending Ammon’s alliance.

While Joab besieges Rabbah, David commits adultery with Bath-sheba and arranges Uriah’s death in battle. Bath-sheba mourns, then becomes David’s wife and bears a son; the deed displeases the Lord.

Nathan’s parable of the ewe lamb convicts David. Though forgiven, he is told the sword will not depart from his house and the child will die. David fasts; the child dies; Solomon is later born. David captures Rabbah.

Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar; Absalom shelters her and, two years later, murders Amnon at a feast, then flees to his grandfather in Geshur. David mourns Amnon and longs for Absalom.

Joab uses a wise woman of Tekoa to persuade David to recall Absalom. Absalom returns to Jerusalem but does not see the king for two years; setting Joab’s field on fire secures an audience and a royal kiss.

Absalom steals Israel’s loyalty and is proclaimed king in Hebron. David flees Jerusalem, leaving the ark, priests, and ten concubines. Hushai returns as a spy; Shimei curses David on the way.

Ziba slanders Mephibosheth and gains his estate. Shimei curses and stones David, who forbids retaliation. In Jerusalem Absalom, guided by Ahithophel, publicly sleeps with David’s concubines fulfilling prophecy.

Ahithophel advises a swift strike on David, but Hushai persuades Absalom to delay. Messages via priests’ sons warn David, who crosses the Jordan. Ahithophel, seeing his counsel rejected, hangs himself.

David’s army under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai defeats Absalom’s forces in the forest of Ephraim; Joab kills the entangled Absalom. Ahimaaz and Cushite carry news; David laments, "O my son Absalom!"

Joab rebukes David’s excessive mourning; David consoles the troops and returns toward Jerusalem. Shimei repents and is spared; Mephibosheth explains his loyalty; David rewards Barzillai’s support and quells tribal quarrels.

Sheba’s revolt draws Israel away; Joab murders Amasa and besieges Abel-beth-maachah. A wise woman negotiates Sheba’s beheading, ending the rebellion. Administrative roster is updated.

A three-year famine is traced to Saul’s slaughter of Gibeonites; David hands them seven descendants of Saul (spared Mephibosheth). Rizpah’s vigil leads David to bury Saul and Jonathan honorably; wars resume and David’s men slay four more giants.

David’s psalm of deliverance celebrates God as rock, fortress, and saviour, recounting rescue, victories, and covenant mercy—essentially Psalm 18.

David’s last oracle extols righteous rule. List of his mighty men highlights heroic exploits of the Three, Abishai, Benaiah, and the Thirty (ending with Uriah the Hittite).

God (and Satan, per Chronicles) incites David to census Israel; Joab reluctantly numbers 1.3 million warriors. David repents; God offers three punishments—chooses plague; 70 000 die. At Araunah’s threshing floor David buys the site, builds an altar; the plague is stayed, and the site becomes the future temple mount.